After three previous extensions, LEED v4 officially took effect November 1, 2016, ensuring all projects are registered under the LEED v4 rating system. In the time since LEED 2012 was originally scheduled to roll out as a required standard, the building industry and code has had a chance to catch up to the high expectations of LEED v4 making certification less daunting.
So why the change? The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) intends to simplify the documentation process while simultaneously raising the bar for the building industry. This iteration is more technically rigorous than the foundational versions and the new standard will strengthen what it means for a building to be LEED certified.
While LEED 2009 focused on decreasing damage caused by the built environment, LEED v4 strives to promote projects that contribute a positive impact to the environment and to the community. With a strong focus on CO2 emission reduction, LEED v4 has substantially improved the standards for building performance. Some changes include: emphasis on integrated project teams, rewarding development in existing built environments, expansion of water efficiency and promotion of life-cycle analysis of materials.
DBR recognizes that as building professionals, it is a responsibility to accelerate the positive impact that the built environment can have in our community. The certification process is still widely uncharted territory. While 491 projects have voluntarily registered under LEED v4 for New Construction since its launch in November 2013, only 8 have been awarded certification to date. DBR is prepared to take on the challenge of LEED v4.
For a comprehensive presentation on LEED v4 and what it means for green building project teams, contact Ayman Ashkar, Director of Sustainability at [email protected] or (713) 914-0888. The DBR Sustainability Department is also available for LEED Administration and is well-versed in MEP LEED documentation and energy modelling.
